Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's latest venture, Sussex.com, has caught the attention of royal enthusiasts and admirers worldwide. The couple's newly launched website serves as a hub for information on their charitable endeavors through the Archewell Foundation, their creative projects under Archewell Productions, and highlights of their public appearances.
Upon visiting Sussex.com, one immediately notices the royal touches that reflect Meghan and Harry's time as active members of the British royal family. The homepage features a captivating photo of the couple at the 2023 Invictus Games closing ceremony, accompanied by the text 'The office of Prince Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' beneath Meghan's coat of arms. This imagery harks back to their dedicated service to the monarchy before their decision to step back from their roles in 2020 and relocate to Meghan's California homeland.
It is worth mentioning that Meghan Markle played a pivotal role in the design of her coat of arms, working closely with the College of Arms to incorporate personal elements. The blue background of the shield symbolizes the Pacific Ocean along the California coast, while two golden rays represent the sunshine of Meghan's hometown, Los Angeles. The inclusion of three quills signifies the importance of communication and the power of words, reflecting Meghan's history of activism and her previous lifestyle blog, The Tig.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry also possesses his own coat of arms, and when combined, the two symbols create what is known as a 'conjugal coat of arms.' Interestingly, the official reveal of Harry and Meghan's joint crest has never occurred, possibly due to timing. In comparison, Prince William and Kate Middleton's combined coat of arms wasn't unveiled until two years after their wedding. It is plausible that Meghan's design was chosen because it already incorporates her husband's coat of arms. In this way, when a woman marries into the royal family, her coat of arms is displayed alongside her husband's, known as being 'impaled.'
Yet, eagle-eyed royal fans have observed that the crest may require an update since King Charles' accession to the throne in 2022. As Prince Harry is now the son of the monarch rather than the son of the heir, there is a technical requirement for a different coronet to be used. Additionally, the five points of the lapel should be altered to three points, according to Gert's Royals.
Aside from the coat of arms and their bestowed titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex courtesy of Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day, Harry and Meghan's website also showcases another prominent element from their previous royal life. At the bottom right of the homepage, their titles appear beneath a joint cypher. The design, featuring an intertwined 'H' and 'M' in a cursive style reminiscent of their individual cyphers, is topped with a coronet adorned with two crosses pattee, four fleurs-de-lys, and two strawberry leaves.
It is important to note that the couple's previous website, SussexRoyal.com, now directs visitors to their new web address, Sussex.com. A pop-up message on the page explains that the site was established in 2020 to highlight Prince Harry and Meghan's philanthropic endeavors before their move to the United States. It provides interested individuals with an opportunity to learn more about the couple and their charitable ventures.
Prior to their departure from their senior royal roles in 2020, news about Meghan and Harry's work was shared on the @KensingtonRoyal social media accounts, alongside updates about Prince William and Kate Middleton. Following this, the couple launched their own separate Instagram page, @SussexRoyal, as part of their initiative to establish their independent office away from William and Kate.
However, the @SussexRoyal Instagram account ceased to be updated after their decision to step back from their royal duties, with its final post uploaded in March 2020. Since then, the couple has refrained from having an active presence on social media. Nevertheless, in a 2022 interview with New York magazine's The Cut, Meghan Markle hinted at a possible return to Instagram, stating, 'Do you want to know a secret? I'm getting back…on Instagram.' Although she later expressed uncertainty about her return in the same interview, her words suggested that she is considering the move, especially in light of the launch of her Archetypes podcast.
It is worth noting that Meghan Markle deactivated her personal social media profiles, including her highly popular Instagram page boasting three million followers, and bid farewell to her lifestyle blog, The Tig, after her engagement to Prince Harry. Adjusting to the transition from a life of autonomy to one within the royal institution was undoubtedly a significant change for her.
This week, Meghan and Prince Harry are embarking on a journey to Canada for the One Year to Go celebrations of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. As the brainchild of Prince Harry, this international adaptive sports tournament was founded in 2014 to support wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. During their three-day visit, the couple will participate in the Winter Training Camp alongside members of the International Invictus Community, including team managers, coaches, and competitors, to familiarize themselves with winter adaptive sports before next year's Games.
In conclusion, Sussex.com showcases Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's continued commitment to their philanthropic work, creative endeavors, and public engagements. Through their coat of arms, joint cypher, and royal titles, this platform preserves their connection to their previous roles while paving the way for their independent ventures. As the world eagerly follows their journey, it remains to be seen what new and inspiring projects the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will unveil through Sussex.com.
